Recruiting Report: Walter Ellis (2018)
Indiana has always been a hotbed for basketball talent and some of the best have made their homes here in the Hoosier state. Now, a lot of their sons and daughters are starting to pop up through the system and…
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Continue ReadingIndiana has always been a hotbed for basketball talent and some of the best have made their homes here in the Hoosier state. Now, a lot of their sons and daughters are starting to pop up through the system and are prepared to begin their careers. In the last few years we have had Gary Harris, Derrik Smits, and Glenn Robinson III. Next in line is Walter Ellis.
Hailing from the South Bend area, Walter is the son of former NBA standout LaPhonso Ellis. LaPhonso isn’t originally from Indiana but played his college ball at Notre Dame and now calls it his home. Walter, a 6’4 wing, plays his high school ball at South Bend Adams and has had a solid year as the leader for this team averaging about 16 points per game. The team is young in terms of production with only Brandon Wadley and Mike Green as guys who have put up any sort of production so the emergence of Ellis has really helped.
“It’s been a growing year for me,” Walter said. “I swung JV and Varsity for about the first half of the season last year. I didn’t fully make it into the starting line up until later my freshmen year. So getting a feel for the varsity game was a challenge. After the first couple games I was able to get my feel back and I feel I started to play well more consistently.”
The thing that makes Ellis special is his skill set. A tall guard who handles the ball very well and has a great feel for the game and can make plays with the ball in his hands. At 6’4, he’s got a lot of size and he should continue to grow but his ball handling should stay with him. His upside is if he can stay more towards the guard spots where he can create mismatches.
“Pops and I, after every game, watch the film in detail to see things we can adjust, improve and implement those things in the next game,” Ellis said. “In the early part of the season there were some times where I could’ve been aggressive and gone to the rim but instead I would shoot from beyond the arc so we would go and drill how to make decisions off the dribble and finish at the rim. We’ve been improving my ball handling because for me, having a tight handle is very necessary for the player I’m trying to be.”
Having a father he can go to with his experience and background has been a big thing for Walter. The ability to share the same goals and understanding is helpful.
“It’s great,” Walter said of his father’s guidance. “He knows my goals and because of that, he tries to give me all of the tools I need to be able to pursue those goals. It helps me see the game from a right perspective.”
The career is still early for Walter Ellis as he finishes out his sophomore season but he’s already seen the interest come in. Valparaiso was a school that took notice early on and made the decision to extend an offer. It was his first and since has started to develop a relationship with the coaching staff.
“I love the atmosphere there,” Walter said of Valparaiso. “Because Valparaiso’s a small town, it’s the main attraction so the games are always jumping no matter who they play. Also the way they balance transition and half court basketball is appealing to me. Honestly my favorite part is the family aspect that all of the coaches and players have. Homer Drew and his wife treat me like family and Coach Bryce along with the other coaches seem legitimately interested in me and how I’m doing on and off the court.”
However, Valpo is only the first of what is likely to be many suitors. Schools like Purdue, Xavier, and Indiana State have also shown some interest. This summer he will run with Spiece Indy Heat and will get to show even more coaches his ability. By the end of the summer, Walter should be on a lot more radars.